Tuning off for now...

This baby of ours has been keeping us guessing at what will happen next. From all-day sickness, to PUPPPS, to now possibly arriving a bit early; it has been a surprising 8 months thus far. I had planned to work until at least May. But Baby G had other plans. I now must lay low as doctors think he/she may arrive anytime. We are aiming for 34 weeks (next Thursday) and then we will take whatever else we can get. Of course, I write this knowing now I will probably be sitting around at 40 weeks wondering when the show will start. All of that means no more working for a while. The Dr. feels I do too much running around and given traffic and stories that can be far away, she said it was a no go from now until the baby’s arrival. Major changes always seem to happen while I am away from work. The last time I was away on maternity, my news director, assistant news director and station manager were told they weren't part of the new plans. Luckily, the new bosses allowed me to be part of their team once I returned. Who knows what will take place over the new few months. Hopefully all good things.

Freeze!

I was asked to take part in the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy at the College of DuPage. The officers I met were men and women from numerous suburban departments who are in charge of talking with the media when all heck breaks loose. There is nothing quite like facing dozens of questions with the cameras rolling. Thanks to Dan Ferrelli from the Aurora Police Department for asking me to help. As a reporter, I was brought in with a few others from media outlets to put officers on the hot seat. They were given mock scenarios in which the media would cover. We were then able to ask them tough questions to see how well they could hold up in front of the cameras. Each person was really good under the pressure and heat of the lights. It was a great time spending time with the people who really have to see and deal with it all...everyday

Safe Haven Day

In early April we celebrated Save Abandoned Babies Day as did much of the rest of the country. We had close to 20 cities in Illinois who were part of the effort. I was lucky enough to be part of the efforts in Waukegan. Thanks to everyone involved and the coverage of it in the media, I was told four days after the event, an overwhelmed mother in Waukegan relinquished her newborn child to a Safe Haven. We have even more to celebrate as this is the first year every state now has a Safe Haven Law.